Connecticut Expands Solar Energy on Closed Landfills

The state is repurposing closed, town-owned landfills to host solar energy projects.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Energy

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting a symbolic solar array atop a gentle mound, representing renewable energy development in Connecticut. — Connecticut is increasingly repurposing town-owned, capped landfills for large-scale solar energy projects to maximize land utility while expanding renewable capacity. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support repurposing closed local landfills for solar energy generation?

Connecticut municipalities and developers are increasingly installing solar arrays on top of closed, capped landfills. The state currently hosts 29 large solar arrays on these sites, with additional projects awaiting regulatory approval.

Why it matters

State incentives prioritize the redevelopment of brownfields and landfills over other vacant properties because these town-owned spaces have limited alternative uses. Utilizing these sites allows municipalities to transform unproductive land into active energy-generating infrastructure.

Building a 1 megawatt solar facility requires a minimum flat plateau of approximately 5 acres. Currently, there are 29 large arrays installed across Connecticut, with the Connecticut Siting Council approving 6 additional projects since 2023.

The players

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

This state agency oversees environmental policy and must approve all construction permits for projects located on capped landfills.

Connecticut Siting Council

This council serves as the regulatory authority responsible for evaluating and approving energy projects with a capacity of 1 megawatt or greater.

Greenskies Clean Energy

This renewable energy developer specializes in constructing and maintaining solar installations on constrained land, including former landfills.

The details

Solar arrays are installed on top of landfill caps using specialized mounting systems that do not penetrate the sealing material. Developers choose these sites primarily based on their proximity to existing electrical infrastructure to ensure efficient grid connectivity.

Greenskies opened its first two solar landfill projects in 2016.
The Connecticut Siting Council has approved six projects since 2023.
A new solar facility in New Haven opened in July 2026.
The Greenskies Clean Energy portfolio of landfill solar arrays is expected to double by the end of 2027.

The Big Picture

This move toward landfill-based solar follows a pattern set by the state's brownfield and landfill solar incentive program. The trend shifts renewable energy development away from pristine greenfield sites toward underutilized, town-owned land.

Repurposing closed landfills into energy hubs can help stabilize local power grids by generating clean electricity closer to residential and commercial centers. These projects allow communities to benefit from solar energy production without sacrificing open space or agricultural land.

The takeaway

Connecticut is finding creative ways to provide renewable energy by converting thousands of acres of dormant landfill space into productive assets. Residents should expect more of these arrays to appear in their communities as developers continue to secure permits for suitable sites.